+...The cover does NOT belong to me...+

Pika_Hallett had wanted to inform that this story is a "remake of Mightyena's Shadow's Battles of the Past."

They HAVE gotten the original author's permission to write this book. I wanted to let everyone know that, just to make sure that either me, Pika_Hallett, or Mightyena's Shadow (from Fanfiction.net) DON'T get sent messages about this story.

(If you're curious, here's the link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10832153/1/Battles-of-the-Past This is to the original story this book is based off of.)

This book is completed.

*Spoilers Ahead*

Summary: An explosion had taken Ash Ketchum, the hero that helped majorly stopped Team Rocket, to his grave. 5 years later, Ash returns, disguised as a man named Aaron Tajiri [AKA: The Man in the Mask] of Shamouti Island; which is part of the Orange Archipelago (Islands). The reason he returned... Well, I'll just say that some of the contestants aren't who they really say they are.

5 years after Ash's death, Serena is now the Kalos Queen; however, she doesn't really like all the media attention she's been getting from it. To get away from the media, her and her friends travel to Saffron City in the Kanto Region to witness and/or participate in the Master's Challenge (Cup) Tournament. There they are to battle the best of the best from each region.... So it wouldn't be a surprise that the Champions from each region attended.

Throughout the process of the tournament, Serena meets "The Man in the Mask". For some reason, she keeps connecting him to Ash.... But why? Is it because she just doesn't want to give up on Ash? ... Or is it because she can see the real Aaron through the mask?

Alright. Here's the review portion for this story.

Starting off with this writing style. This writing style is practically identical to the original, which would help keep closer to the original's style and emotional appeal. What impressed me was, even with the parts you added in, you still kept true to the original author's writing style. This story's writing felt flowing and fluent; exactly what you want to see in a story.

The concept of the book is identical to the original, which was probably what you wanted to focus on. Most of the story, by skimming through the original a few times, was all but spot on to your version. The obvious part that wasn't in the original was when you added Trevor and his family into the story.

Character wise, spot on to the original. Like I mentioned before, you had added in Trevor and his family into the story. With already a bit of emotional appeal with this story, it appears you add some whipped cream on top. Adding in the fact that Trevor and Brittany's (his wife) daughter was named after Ash just had me in shock. Little Ashley's goal to become a trainer like her father and Ash was very uplifting and very inspirational. After all, both her father and Ash were her heroes.

The other characters have great impact throughout the story. Especially with their bubbled in emotions towards Ash's death and the things that impacted them in their lives afterwards.

The characters obviously have their ups and downs throughout the story. That is what seems to be the driving force through this story. It also sets forward for the climax of the story, which I believe is the final battle of the tournament: Ash VS. Giovanni. The ultimate test to determine who gets their old life back.

Personally, that can bring a lot of good planning throughout the story; however, it can lead to a few bad things.

One bad thing that I noticed is that this book has a few mentions of blood... You don't need to worry at all about this point, but I would like for you to keep this in mind. Personally, I am fine with any mention of the sort, but some more sensitive readers may not like it. AKA: It may turn off some of your readers if they are sensitive towards any topic of blood or slight gore. If it was original to the story, I would understand that you want to keep true to the book. Through, it may be beneficial if you add in a slight warning at the beginning of either the book or chapter itself that slight blood/gore will be mentioned or put in depth throughout the chapter/book.

In books, authors often have climactic scenes be the most bloody, so it didn't surprise me when you had the fight between Ash and Giovanni be the most blood and gore related. With the added amount of intensity and fighting between the two forces, it did make sense to have the seen bloody.

At the same time, it also adds in a few aspects that Pokemon hasn't fully touched upon. In the anime and games, if a Pokemon gets hit with a Super Effective (let alone an effective attack in general) they don't bleed. However, in the manga, absolutely anything could happen. At one point, an Arbok gets cut in half by Blue's Charmeleon.

Another point that I would like to address will be refrained as a question. Why did you make this story so long?

To be completely honest, this is one of the best books I have read in awhile. To be honest, the main problem that I saw with this story was the length.

The first thing that turned me off about this story was the in-total length. A 65 chapter book + the credits chapter is quite a lot of reading material to go over in as much detail as I could. I know that you would get a lot more readers that would read this story. Though, with the length, that may turn away quite a few of them. This story has a lot to go for it, but the length may bring it down by a bit. Plus having this story being off of another person's work.

I had mentioned before that this story has a lot going for it. Creative characters, a creative plotline, and an interesting perspective towards Team Rocket's Giovanni and Ash Ketchum's, the boy who strived to become a Pokemon Master, unique rivalry.

Overall, this story, even though it is long and not as original as it could be, was a very good read. For those who are interested in Amourshipping, you will enjoy this story.

One question I have in particular, before I end the review.
Are you ever planning on involving Silver into anything related to this? (If you were not aware, Silver is Giovanni's son.) When I looked up a few things, I had noticed that you had put down (somewhere in the book) that you were going to be possibly making either a prequel or a sequel. I am fairly certain you said you were going to make a prequel.  

Rating: 9/10

Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/73763929-destiny-rebirth

(Just copy and paste into a "New Tab" to access the story)